Sonia

Sonia provides a conversational AI platform for mental health support, accessible through a mobile application. The company was founded in 2023 by Chris Aeberli, Dustin Klebe, and Lukas Wolf, who met while studying at ETH Zurich and later conducted AI research at MIT. Motivated by the difficulties in accessing affordable therapy, their goal was to make mental health support more available.

The platform offers voice and text-based sessions guided by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles to help users manage issues like stress, anxiety, and sleep problems. It is designed to provide immediate, 24/7 support. Features include session notes, personalized homework, and mood tracking to help users monitor their progress. While Sonia offers a more affordable alternative to traditional therapy, it does not replace human therapists and is not intended for crisis situations, redirecting users to national hotlines when necessary.

The business operates on a subscription model, with monthly and yearly payment options. Sonia also offers its services to businesses to support employee mental health. Since its founding, the company has secured approximately $3.4 million in funding from investors including Y Combinator, Moonfire, Rebel Fund, and SBXi.

Keywords: conversational AI, mental health support, cognitive behavioral therapy, AI therapist, mobile mental health, text-based therapy, voice-based therapy, stress management, anxiety relief, accessible healthcare, subscription model, employee wellness, Y Combinator, digital health, AI-powered app